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Mechanistic studies of perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorooctanoic acid uptake by maize (Zea mays L. cv. TY2)

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Abstract

Background and aims

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are of particular environmental concern. The migration of PFCs from soil to plants is a likely pathway for PFCs to enter the human food chain. This study aimed to investigate the uptake mechanisms of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) by maize (Zea mays L. cv. TY2).

Methods

Hydroponic greenhouse experiments were performed.

Results

The kinetics of PFOS and PFOA uptake fitted Mechaelis-Menten equation well, suggesting their carrier-mediated influx processes. Uptake of PFOS was insensitive to metabolic inhibitors (NaN3 and Na3VO4). In contrast, treated with NaN3 and Na3VO4 reduced the uptake of PFOA by 83 and 43 % respectively. PFOS uptake was decreased by 31 % and 25 % when plants were treated with aquaporin inhibitors, AgNO3 and glycerol, respectively, while aquaporin inhibitors had no effect on PFOA uptake. Anion channel blockers, 4, 4′-diisothiocyanostibene-2,2′-disolfonate (DID) and 5-nitro 2-(3-phenylpropylamine) benzoic acid (NPPB) inhibited the uptake of PFOS by 33 % and 30 %, respectively. Anion channel blocker anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (9-AC) decreased the uptake of PFOA by 28 %. No competitive uptake was found between PFOS and PFOA.

Conclusions

Uptake of PFOS and PFOA by maize may have different mechanisms.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40730740).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China

    Bei Wen, Longfei Li, Yu Liu, Hongna Zhang, Xiao-quan Shan & Shuzhen Zhang

  2. Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, 100031, China

    Xiaoyu Hu

Authors
  1. Bei Wen
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  2. Longfei Li
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  3. Yu Liu
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  4. Hongna Zhang
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  5. Xiaoyu Hu
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  7. Shuzhen Zhang
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Correspondence to Bei Wen.

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Responsible Editor: Juan Barcelo.

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Wen, B., Li, L., Liu, Y. et al. Mechanistic studies of perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorooctanoic acid uptake by maize (Zea mays L. cv. TY2). Plant Soil 370, 345–354 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1637-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-013-1637-9

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